Happy Hour in San Francisco, CA: Best Food & Drink

After a day of creating groundbreaking technology, moving large amounts of money around or coming up with the next great idea, San Francisco residents and visitors deserve to kick back and enjoy a few drinks. To serve the work hard, play hard crowd, many bars and restaurants in San Francisco’s Financial District offer excellent happy hour deals on food and libations. There’s no better way to unwind and bond with friends or co-workers without breaking the bank.

Here are 10 top happy hour spots in San Francisco’s Financial District for getting an affordable after-work buzz.

1. City Counter

Opened in early 2017, City Counter is a modern luncheonette and wine bar that is redefining the happy hour experience. From 4pm to 7pm, beers are just $4 and wine is $7-10 a glass, beckoning the professional crowd to dip out of work a little early. Happy hour eats on the menu include green goddess deviled eggs, smoked cheddar fondue and tuna tartare.

2. Gaspar Brasserie

Inspired by romantic mid-20th century Paris, Gaspar may appear fancy and expensive, but it’s long been known for having one of San Francisco’s best happy hours. Head to the upstairs bar for $7 bites and wine by the glass during what the restaurant calls “Social Time.” Be sure to order the famous pommes frites.

3. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana

Save this happy hour spot for a sunny evening, as you’ll want to take advantage of the expansive back patio area situated right on the water. Beers are just $4 during the daily happy hour, while a pisco sour or prickly pear margarita is just $7 or $8 respectively. For $9, try one of their ceviches made with the fresh catch of the day.

4. Pabu

Eater SF considers izakaya-style Japanese restaurant Pabu one of San Francisco’s essential happy hours. Get there between 3pm and 6pm for beer, wine and sake starting at $5.88, plus eats like pork steam buns, Nagoya-style chicken wings and spicy tuna hand rolls. All menu prices end in 8, inspired by the East Asian belief that the number is lucky.

5. Palomino

With an outdoor patio and waterfront views of the Bay Bridge, Palomino is another San Francisco happy hour restaurant you’ll want to hit up on a warm sunny day. You won’t have to rush there after work, though — Palomino is beloved for its everyday happy hour from 3pm to close. Indulge in Italian comfort foods like Sicilian meatballs ($7.95), potatoes gorgonzola ($8.95) or wild mushroom ravioli ($6.95), washed down with $6.95 cocktails including hibiscus margaritas, basil gimlets and elderflower greyhounds.

6. Perbacco

Upscale Italian restaurant Perbacco began offering weeknight food and drink specials to appeal to the happy hour crowd, and it’s working. The restaurant takes the cake for earliest happy hour start time on this list — you can grab a discounted drink as early as 2pm. Wine and cocktails aren’t a huge bargain, but a beer will set you back just $5. Light bites like deviled eggs, chicken wings and fried green beans go for $7-9.

7. Plouf

For those seeking a happy hour they don’t have to rush to after work, Plouf is another go-to — order from the bar and enjoy happy hour prices from 6:30pm to close on weeknights. Beer and wine will cost you $4-9, while classic cocktails are $7. What’s more: “On Belden Place, a little alley in Financial, Plouf feels like an oasis away from the city,” wrote The Infatuation.

8. Prospect

Although located within the Infinity Towers, one of San Francisco’s most lavish residential buildings, Prospect is open to the public and is a popular hangout among the Financial District crowd. The tall windows let in abundant natural light and make for some quality people watching. They even have a Saturday happy hour!

Beer and wine are $7-8 during happy hour; craft cocktails like the Butterfly Reviver with blue tea-infused gin, Lillet, orange Curaçao and lemon are $9. Bar snacks go for $5.50-18 and range from the sophisticated, like lobster arancini or duck liver mousse, to the traditional, like corn dogs or chicken wings.

9. Taverna Aventine

Voted Best Happy Hour by San Francisco Magazine in 2010, Taverna Aventine is not to be missed when cocktail time approaches. Beers are $4-6; wines are $8 as are cocktails and premium spirits. Patrons especially love the bar snacks for just $5-8, such as pigs in a blanket, assorted bruschetta or truffle parmesan popcorn.

10. Waterbar

In addition to the fantastic happy hour food and drinks, it’s hard to beat this waterfront bar’s panoramic views of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and the San Francisco skyline. Take in the sights as you slurp $1.05 oysters, $6 beers, $7 wine and $8 cocktails. The extra five cents per oyster is donated to local charities focused on improving and protecting the water quality of the San Francisco Bay.

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